Odyssey (Magill Book Reviews)
At a glance:
- Author: Homer
- First Published: 725
- Type of Work: Epic Poem
- Genres: Poetry, Epic, Narrative poetry
- Subjects: Language or languages, Husbands, Wives, Africa or Africans, Traveling or travelers, Voyages, Mythology or myths, Poetry or poets, War, Legends, Folklore, Gods or goddesses, Reading, Sea or seafaring life, Egypt or Egyptians, Adventure, Heroes or heroism, Life and death, Greek or Roman times, Greece or Greek people, Antarctica, Fables, Trojan War
- Locales: Sparta, ancient, Greece, ancient, Mediterranean, Argos, ancient, Mount Olympus (mythic), Ithaca, ancient
The ODYSSEY begins in the tenth year of Odysseus’ wanderings following the Trojan War. The first four books, called the Telemachy, focus not on Odysseus, but on his son Telemachus, who undertakes a journey of self-maturation in search of his missing father. These books establish the reputation of the hero before he is introduced directly. They also underscore the plight of Odysseus’ family in his absence and the need for the hero’s return.
The main plot, Odysseus’ homecoming, is introduced in books 5-8 by the hero’s departure from the island of the nymph Calypso....
[The entire page is 615 words long]
Join eNotes
Over 3,500 study guides, question and answer forums, literature criticism, reference content, and much more!
Navigate
See Also
Related Topics
